Wayne Rooney in Ibiza: Sunshine, Smiles and Subtle Shadows on Holiday with Coleen and Former Man Utd Team-Mates

Rooney jets off to Ibiza with Coleen, Carrick & O’Shea – but fans notice his holiday spirit seems missing

Even under the golden glow of the Ibiza sun, Wayne Rooney couldn’t quite raise a smile.

The former England and Manchester United striker jetted off to the Balearic island this week, holidaying with wife Coleen Rooney and a close-knit group of old friends — including former Red Devils team-mates Michael Carrick and John O’Shea. But while the rest of the group appeared to be basking in the vacation spirit, one thing stood out: Rooney himself looked, well… a little off.

In a series of snaps that have surfaced from the getaway, Coleen and company appear upbeat, sharing poolside chats and seaside strolls. Rooney, meanwhile, looked distracted — unsmiling, detached, his body present but his mind seemingly elsewhere.

Ibiza sunshine, familiar faces, but where’s the spark?

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For most people, a trip to Ibiza spells joy, especially when shared with lifelong friends. This wasn’t a lads’ binge like the ones Rooney was famed for in his early years. It was something softer, more mature: a family-friendly escape with long-time friends and their partners, a pause from the pressures of football and the spotlight.

And yet, Rooney’s expression — or lack thereof — raised eyebrows. For a man who recently parted ways with Plymouth Argyle after a rocky managerial spell, and who remains in career limbo, the holiday may have come at an awkward time.

His recent weeks have been sprinkled with off-pitch headlines: parking fines after leaving his Audi outside a hotel for two days, whispers of professional uncertainty, and now, talk of family concerns bubbling beneath the surface.

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Coleen, ever the grounded matriarch, reportedly harbours deep concern about the direction her family could be heading. A source close to the Rooneys revealed to OK! Magazine that Coleen’s “worst nightmare” would be a family breakdown resembling the alleged rift between David and Victoria Beckham and their son Brooklyn.

While the Rooneys have always projected a tightly-bound unit, especially after weathering several public storms over the years, that kind of strain is always possible — especially when fame, family life, and pressure collide.

For now, there’s no suggestion of actual discord between Wayne and his four sons, but with the boys growing older and the Rooney name forever in the media, Coleen’s protective instincts are in full swing.

From Old Trafford to uncertainty – What next for Rooney?

Since stepping into management, Rooney’s journey has been anything but smooth. He showed glimpses of promise at Derby County in near-impossible circumstances and took on a bold challenge in Major League Soccer with D.C. United. But after an uninspiring stint at Birmingham City and a brief run at Plymouth Argyle, where results didn’t go his way, he left the latter post midway through last season.

Now, the 38-year-old is once again searching for his next chapter — and it may be coming sooner than expected.

According to several reports in English football circles, non-league side Macclesfield are exploring the possibility of appointing Rooney as their new manager. The club are preparing for life without Robbie Savage, who is expected to join Forest Green Rovers in a sporting director capacity. Savage, ironically, is also a former United player and long-time acquaintance of Rooney.

While the move would represent a significant drop in profile, Macclesfield might offer something Rooney arguably needs: time, space and the ability to rebuild without the glare of the Championship or Premier League spotlight.

A holiday with more meaning than meets the eye?

The Rooneys’ Ibiza trip may simply be a moment of reset. After a hectic year filled with managerial exits, media scrutiny, and a constant balancing act between family and football, perhaps Wayne is taking stock.

For all his achievements — Premier League titles, Champions League glory, and England’s all-time top scorer status — Rooney’s post-playing career has been less linear. While some of his former team-mates, like Michael Carrick, have found early managerial success, Rooney’s road has been full of bumps.

Could this Ibiza break be the calm before another reinvention?

He wouldn’t be the first former superstar to step back, recalibrate, and return stronger. And with his name still carrying weight and his experience undeniable, the right project — big or small — could relight that fire we once saw burning so brightly on the pitch.

Final thoughts: Even legends need to breathe

It’s easy to scrutinise a man for not smiling on holiday — especially when he’s been known for lighting up stadiums with moments of magic. But perhaps Rooney’s blank expression in Ibiza isn’t gloom, but reflection.

A career lived in full view of the world brings joy, yes, but also fatigue. If this trip allows him the breathing space to refocus — as a father, a husband, and a football mind — then perhaps the smile will return in time.

For now, the sun sets over Ibiza, and Wayne Rooney finds himself at another crossroads. Whether that next turn leads to Macclesfield, or somewhere entirely different, remains to be seen.

But the story — like that quiet man on the beach — isn’t finished yet.